When Columbus first discovered Jamaica it became under Spanish rule. At first they tried to have the native Jamaicans work in the fields, but they all died from disease. Therefore, they resorted to replace their workforce with African Slaves.
However the "Maroons" as referred to by the Spanish, were runaway slaves who grew greatly in numbers.
1530 Mexico, Hispanola, Panama
In Jamaica, the Maroons lived in a mountainous region . As the number of Maroons grew, the Spanish began to fear the power of the Maroons.
In 1553, Maroon revolts in Panama had forced the Spanish to negotiate with other nations, but by 1580 Panamanian Maroons had allied with the British, lead by Francis Drake
1553, the British arrive to Jamaica
In 1655, when the British had conquered Jamaica, the Spanish fled, leaving their slaves to run to join the Maroons. Additionally, Maroon leader Juan de Serras had killed Lubolo, a Maroon leader who had built alliances with the British after they had conquered Jamaica.
We must make an end to this ever growing tension and fight the British!!
This lead to a consequencial rise of ever growing tension with the British.
1655-1663, Jamaica
1720: Maroons fought the British from the base of their mountains1729-1739: Open warfare between Maroons and British, when the British govr. of Jamaica died in 1734, the British decided it was time to solve the conflict thru negotiating
1720, 1729-1739 Jamaicans fight gainst British
This fighting has been going on for a decade already! Our men are dying by the day, we have no access to the mountains, AND Govr. Hunter died 5 years ago!
Yes, I agree. We aren't making any progress. The only way to end our suffering is coming to a negotiation :(
(Maroons) This sounds like they will give us peace on us after 10+ years!!
Overall, the rocky, rough, mountainous region of the Marooons gave them an advantage in battle.
WHAT? We fought for so long for all of our freedoms, only to have most of us sent back under British Rule?
Yes! We will be our own independent peoples, British be gone!
The Maroons and British signed a treaty, making Jamaica no longer part of British land. Even though the treaties were signed, the British still owned slaves in other Carribean countries.
Under one condition: You shall return any runaway slaves back to us, and then we will leave.
1739, Windward and Leeward treaties
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